U.S. inflation has eased slightly to 8.5% down from its 40-year high of 9.1%.  Some of the gains have been made up with falling energy and gas prices, but grocery prices are still as concern as they are up 13% from last year.  The Fed has been managing the inflation crisis with adjustments to the key interest rate and meets next month to evaluate.  Gwynn Guilford, economics reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what to know about the latest inflation numbers.
 
Next, the labor market remains tight despite recession fears and the U.S. added 528,000 jobs in July driven mostly by travel and hospitality sectors.  On the other hand, the tech sector has been dealing with cuts and business is booming for layoff specialists.  These are companies that help businesses with identifying who to layoff, make sure they receive the right amount of severance, and day-of communication plans.  Maxwell Strachan, features writer and editor at Motherboard, joins us for what to know.
 
Finally, the Covid pandemic has changed just about every aspect of Americans’ health, and it has mostly been for the worse.  As people missed health screenings, abandoned routines, and went through isolation we saw a range of other chronic diseases worsen.  Overall death rates of heart disease and stroke rose, drug overdose deaths and alcohol abuse rose, and even mental health took a hit.  Brianna Abbot, health reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.